There are a lot of weird facts about certain players throughout NHL history, but this one about Detroit Red Wings prospect Martin Frk might be near the top.
Drafted by the Red Wings with the 49th pick of the 2012 draft, Frk has gradually developed NHL skill over the past five years. Last season, he played a key role in the Grand Rapids Griffin’s Calder Cup run, as they defeated the Syracuse Crunch 4-2.
Before his team’s run, the 23-year-old was put on waivers and picked up by the Carolina Hurricanes. In Carolina, he played two regular season games during the 2016-17 season and earned an odd place in history in the process. Frk became the first player to dress in an NHL game without having a vowel (including a Y) in his last name.
Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images
An odd, but surprising thing to know. You would think that out of all the skates in history, particularly from Europe, there would have been at least one other. There was, however, a player with the same situation in the WHA, as Czech native Jaroslav Vlk’s last name is also missing a vowel.
Frk isn’t exactly the most well-known player in the world, but at least this neat fact will give him a bit more notoriety.
(H/T r/Hockey)
